Vernon Thomas

MILLER CITY, Ill. -- Vernon L. "Jack" Thomas, 83, of Miller City died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born April 17, 1924, in Miller City, son of Calvin Marion and Fannie Alma Dodson Thomas.

He was a member of the Pulaski County Memorial VFW Post 8891 of Mounds, Ill., the American Legion, the American Legion, the Rural Letter Carriers Association, Ducks Unlimited and the Alexander-Pulaski Sportsman's Club, where he was a past president. He served as a rural mail carrier before his retirement. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He received several awards for his service in Southern France, the Rhineland and the Central European Theater, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

Survivors include his wife, Genevieve Vaughn Thomas; two daughters, Beverly Whitmore of Miller City, Mitzi Thomas of Olive Branch, Ill; two sons, Kenton Thomas of Olive Branch, Jimmy Thomas of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Helen Pearman of Cape Girardeau, Jessie Meurn of Tampa, Fla.; a brother, Bobby Thomas of Olive Branch; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister.

Graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Mound City National Cemetery in Mound City, Ill., with the Rev. Verlee Eaker officiating.

Military honors will be given by the U.S. Army, the Pulaski County Memorial VFW Post 8891 of Mounds, VFW Post 2649 of Cairo, Ill., and Louis Phares American Legion Post 178 of Villa Ridge, Ill. Interment will follow.

Barkett Funeral Home of Cairo is in charge of arrangements.